Could a consultant who counsels his clients on how they can and need to put their values front and center in everything they undertake, really not be value-driven himself?
The following three values inspire all of my client work.
Smart
Companies and organizations do not contract consultants to teach them what they already know. A good consultant connects dots that clients have previously overlooked through his or her specialist knowledge and the application of disciplined reasoning.
Accountable
Companies and organizations hire communications consultants in order to achieve communication objectives which are themselves meant to help realize business objectives. By not settling with anything less than a role as initiator and facilitator of a conversation on the outcomes they will be held accountable to, consultants do both their clients and their own credibility a great service.
Integrity
Whether they are working for a Fortune500 company, a mid-size company or a start-up, consultants should always consider their duties towards their clients to be of a fiduciary nature. Putting the client first never relieves the consultant from a responsibility to (recommend that clients) communicate in an honest manner to all of the client’s stakeholders, be they employees, media, consumers, business partners or others.